Wearing dentures can cause problems for the patient, especially during the fitting period. Initially, the new teeth may appear large and make it uncomfortable for the patient to perform certain functions.
However, the functions of the oral cavity have an increased ability to adapt to local changes. Thus, the integration of the new dentures becomes a matter of days or weeks, depending on the size of the work and the effort of the patient to wear the dentures over and over to adapt.
On the first day, because the dentures are new, they may feel large in the mouth and the patient’s lips will feel as if they are pushed forward and the patient may feel a reaction of discomfort.
These sensations may cause embarrassment when pronouncing certain consonants. Patients should not worry; these sensations are normal and will disappear in time.
It is also possible that in the first few days the patient may feel that more saliva is produced.
The oral cavity still perceives the denture as a foreign body and will try to remove it, hence the increased secretion of saliva.
At the time of feeding, the patient should observe and apply the following things to ease the whole process, which is difficult at first:
It is best to start with softer foods, such as fish, eggs, meat and well-cooked vegetables.
The patient will have to take small bites and chew patiently, until the food bowl is formed and ready to descend to the lower structures of the digestive system.
It is normal for the gums to be slightly sensitive and perhaps even a little sore after the first few days of dentures. However, after a few days, if these sensations do not disappear and if there is also associated burning or pain, the patient should go for a check-up. Often, these are minor situations that can be resolved on the spot.
After a few weeks, most patients realize that purging is no longer a chore at all and that eating is becoming easier.
Patients also report that speaking is much easier, a sign that saliva secretion has decreased and that the body is tolerating the new prosthetic work.
At this point it is appropriate for the patient to start eating harder foods.
Patients should also take into account that the use of an adhesive paste helps to keep the prosthesis on the prosthetic field.
The dentist should be visited at least once a year, even if the patient has no discomfort or painful symptoms.
The dentist will make the necessary adjustments if necessary. Mucosal lesions, for example, in the early stages cannot be detected by the patient and when they become painful, wearing dentures is impossible.
With proper care, these prostheses can last up to 10 years. Over time, the soft and hard oral structures change and dentures either need to be relined or replaced, depending on their condition and the degree of change in the denture field.
